Establishing a Clan in the Eastern Wilderness: A Daily Divination, Cultivating Longevity in a Grotto

Du Liuniang and her two companions had been fleeing in the Ten Thousand Ghosts Cave for two whole days.

The paper crane's spiritual energy was almost exhausted, and the spiritual light on its wings was so dim that it was almost invisible. Du Qiqi lay on the back of the paper crane, her face pale, her lips cracked, and her big eyes filled with exhaustion. Another Du family cultivator, Du Yuanqing, guarded the tail of the paper crane, covered in blood, with a deep wound on his left arm that exposed bone and was still oozing blood.

The tide of ghost soldiers was right behind us.

They were densely packed, covering the sky and earth, like locusts in flight, leaving nothing but desolation in their wake. They had been chasing us for two whole days, unable to shake us off or drive us away, like a group of sharks that had caught the scent of blood, clinging on relentlessly.

"Brother Yuanqing, your injury..." Du Qiqi turned around and looked at him, her eyes reddening.

"It's nothing." Du Yuanqing grinned, revealing a mouthful of bloody teeth. "Just a minor injury."

He laughed very hard, but Du Qiqi saw it—his left hand could no longer be lifted.

The paper cranes were moving slower and slower. The tide of ghost soldiers was getting closer and closer.

Du Liuniang stood at the very front of the paper crane, biting her lip tightly. She knew that if things continued like this, none of the three of them would survive.

Du Yuanqing suddenly grinned and said, "Clan leader, I still want to be a member of the Du family in my next life."

Without waiting for Du Liuniang's reply, he leaped down from the paper crane, turned to face the overwhelming tide of ghost soldiers, and the long sword in his hand shone with a dazzling light.

"Du Yuanqing of the Du family is here!"

His voice echoed through the valley like a thunderclap.

With a swift slash, his longsword sliced ​​through the dozens of ghost soldiers at the forefront, shredding them to pieces. Alone with his sword, he tore a gap in the ghost tide.

"Go!" he roared without turning around. "Go now!"

Du Liuniang's eyes reddened.

Du Qiqi burst into tears.

The paper crane flew through the opening, leaving the tide of ghost soldiers behind. Du Liuniang turned around and saw that Du Yuanqing's figure had already been swallowed up by the ghost tide.

Du Qiqi lay on the back of the paper crane, sobbing uncontrollably. Du Liuniang's tears fell silently.

The paper crane finally exhausted its last bit of spiritual power and fell downwards at an unsteady angle.

The ghost soldiers surged after them again.

At that very moment—

A crimson figure streaked across the sky, as fast as lightning, stirring up a gust of wind.

On the back of the red feather, Li Changsheng sat upright like a pine tree, his robes fluttering in the wind.

"Come on up!"

Chi Yu swooped down, and Li Changsheng reached out and pulled Du Liuniang and Du Qiqi onto its back. Chi Yu flapped its wings and soared into the sky, leaving the ghost soldier tide far behind.

Du Qiqi lay on Chi Yu's back, trembling all over.

Du Liuniang said in a hoarse voice, "Clan Chief Li, I will always remember your life-saving grace."

She glanced back at the dark, surging tide of ghost soldiers behind her, still shaken: "But...those ghost soldiers are still chasing us...can we escape?"

Li Changsheng didn't turn around: "Don't worry, we have somewhere to go. Those ghost soldiers won't be able to find us."

……

Three days ago, Li Changsheng started casting a daily divination and already knew that this calamity would befall the Ten Thousand Ghosts Cave.

He spent an entire day searching through the Cave of Ten Thousand Ghosts and finally found a cave with a natural illusion array. The cave was located below an inconspicuous hill, its entrance hidden by vines and rocks, making it virtually impossible to find without careful searching.

Li Changle spent two days layering the captured Green Vine Strangling Array and the Small Inverted Five Elements Array around the cave. The three arrays, combined with the cave's terrain, formed a natural barrier. From the outside, it looked like just an ordinary pile of rocks, and even fluctuations in spiritual energy were undetectable.

A red feather landed in front of the cave.

Li Changsheng took out a communication talisman, poured spiritual power into it, and whispered, "Little sister, open the door."

A moment later, a crack appeared in the pile of rocks, revealing a deep cave entrance behind it. Li Changle poked her head out of the cave, saw Du Liuniang and Du Qiqi, and waved with a smile: "Sister Du, come in quickly!"

The group filed in, and the pile of rubble closed up again.

The cave wasn't large, but it was spacious enough. Li Shouyi sat cross-legged in a corner, with a golden-scaled fish lying beside him, its golden scales gleaming faintly in the darkness. Li Changle led Du Liuniang and Du Qiqi deeper into the cave, took out a bottle of healing pills, and handed them to them.

"Sister Du, let's heal our wounds first. We can talk about everything later."

Du Liuniang accepted the elixir, feeling both touched and guilty.

I thought about it.

She took out a yellowed animal hide from her storage bag and handed it to Li Changsheng with both hands.

"Clan Chief Li, this is a wine recipe left by my Du family ancestor. Although it's not a rare treasure, it's still a recipe for a mid-grade first-tier spirit wine. Please accept it as a token of my gratitude."

Although the Du family had the formula for several years.

However, no one in the tribe knows how to brew spirit wine yet, and the recipe has not been fully understood.

Li Changsheng took the animal hide, unfolded it, and took a look.

【Hundred Flowers Brew】, a mid-grade first-tier spirit wine.

Made with red marrow rice as a base and supplemented with nineteen kinds of spiritual flowers and fruits, this wine is brewed using a special method. The liquid is clear and fragrant with flowers. Long-term consumption can nourish the meridians and strengthen the foundation, which is especially beneficial for cultivators in the early stages of Qi Refining. Most of the required materials are common spiritual plants, and the red marrow rice is even produced by the Li family, so the cost is not high. The wine brewed from this wine is sure to be popular in the market.

Li Changsheng's eyes lit up.

He had won the wine gourd from Steward Zhou and was worried about not having a suitable recipe. If he could successfully brew it, it would be a long-term and stable source of income.

"Chief Du's kindness is too much to refuse." He put the wine recipe into his storage bag, bowed respectfully, and said, "Thank you."

Du Liuniang shook her head and smiled bitterly: "A prescription for wine is not worth two lives."

Everyone found a place to rest.

...

...

Inside the cave, the faint light of the lamp illuminated the stone walls.

Li Changsheng was sitting cross-legged in the corner, closing his eyes to regulate his breathing, when suddenly the Heavenly Book in his sea of ​​consciousness trembled.

Golden light surged, and lines of text appeared:

[Family Luck Value: 6600/6500]

[Imperial Merit Points +600, Current: 6700/10000]

[Conditions met. Shall we begin a new page in the Heavenly Book?]

Li Changsheng's heart stirred—it was time to open the Heavenly Book again. He took a deep breath and focused his mind into his sea of ​​consciousness.

"Activate".

Li Changsheng was overjoyed.

These past few days, by slaying ghosts, seizing spiritual materials, and taming spirit beasts, his luck points had unknowingly accumulated enough. He took a deep breath and a thought flashed through his mind:

"Activate".

boom--

The new pages of the celestial book slowly unfold.

A brilliant golden light shone forth, and a phantom image of a destiny seed, shaped like a cauldron and radiating a crimson-gold aura, materialized, accompanied by the following annotation:

[Qi Chong Shan He Destiny:]

Those born into this clan possess a destiny that grants them a perception of the metal element in the world ten times more acutely than ordinary people, making them exceptionally gifted in weapon crafting. They can achieve twice the results with half the effort in controlling fire, quenching, and inscribing. This destiny holds unparalleled value for the clan's weapon crafters.

Li Changsheng's eyes flickered.

The Li family currently has array masters, spirit plant masters, talisman makers, and alchemists, but no weapon refiners. This magic seed will fill that gap perfectly.

Just as he was about to examine it closely, the celestial book trembled again.

Another line of text appeared:

[Clan Chief's Exclusive Secret Technique: Turtle Breath Feign Death Technique]

After casting the spell, all breath vanishes, the heart stops beating, body temperature dissipates, leaving no trace, no sound. Even a Foundation Establishment cultivator would find it difficult to distinguish the real from the fake.

[Aftereffects: Severe headache and severe depletion of qi and blood after use, requiring several months of bed rest to recover. The state of apparent death can last up to seven days.]

Do you accept the opportunity to pass on your skills?

Li Changsheng raised an eyebrow slightly.

Feigning death. A life-saving technique in critical moments.

He glanced at the small print that read "rest in bed for several months" and didn't hesitate for long.

"accept."

The Heavenly Book trembled, and a mysterious power surged from the golden light, entering his brow.

Li Changsheng felt a buzzing sound in his head, and his consciousness was pulled into an unfamiliar space.

The space was hazy and boundless, without sky or earth, with only him suspended alone within it. But the flow of time here was completely different from that outside—he had been cultivating here for an unknown amount of time, while outside it was only a fleeting moment.

He practiced the Turtle Breathing Feign Death Technique again and again, from the initial chaotic breathing and uncontrollable heartbeat to the later complete control and effortless execution. Each time he used it, he could clearly feel his heartbeat slowing down, his body temperature dropping, and his breath dissipating, eventually turning into a lifeless "corpse".

The feeling was strange—I was conscious, but my body felt like it was dead.

One day. Two days. Three days.

He spent countless days in the space until he mastered this secret technique.

The mind returns.

When Li Changsheng opened his eyes, he felt that the secret technique was etched into his very bones, as if he had practiced it countless times.

The Heavenly Book trembled once more:

[The clan leader has been detected to have improved their cultivation skills for the first time. Should we choose a direction for improvement?]

Li Changsheng's heart stirred.

In the past, he always focused on improving his spiritual root aptitude, but this time, he wanted to try something different. Alchemy was his most relied-upon skill at the moment, and if he could improve it, he would be more confident in refining high-level pills in the future.

"Improve your alchemy skills."

Mysterious power descended from the void, cleansing the mind like a clear spring.

Li Changsheng felt that all the knowledge about alchemy in his mind—the identification of spiritual herbs, the control of fire, the compatibility of medicinal properties, and the timing of pill condensation—became crystal clear, as if a thin layer of mist had been lifted.

[Alchemy Talent: Rank 9 (20/100)]

Compared to spiritual root aptitude, it is obviously half as easy to improve one's talent in the various arts of cultivation.

If one can advance to the eighth rank, then the chances of refining first-grade high-quality pills or even first-grade supreme-quality pills in the future will be much greater.

He opened his eyes and slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

...

...

Du Qiqi had recovered, and she and Li Changle hit it off immediately.

Two girls of similar age huddled together, chattering incessantly. Du Qiqi was incredibly curious about the layers of formations in the cave, pulling Li Changle aside to ask her all sorts of questions. Li Changle didn't hold back, explaining her insights on setting up formations in detail. Du Qiqi listened with shining eyes, wishing she could become Li Changle's apprentice on the spot.

"Chang Le, you're amazing!" Du Qiqi exclaimed with admiration. "I've only just begun learning the basics of first-tier, low-grade formations, and you can already control three formations simultaneously!"

Li Changle felt a little embarrassed by her praise and scratched his head: "It's alright, it's not too difficult..."

"This isn't difficult?" Du Qiqi's eyes widened. "How old are you?!"

Li Changle smiled, pursing her lips.

……

On the other side, Li Shouyi walked to Li Changsheng's side and lowered his voice, saying, "Changsheng, could we let some of those ghost soldiers outside in to lure and kill them?"

Li Changsheng looked at his younger sister: "Changle, are you confident you can control it? Don't let the ghost soldiers break through the formation."

Li Changle's smile faded. After a moment's careful consideration, he nodded and said, "With the Green Vine Strangling Formation, the Reversed Five Elements Formation, and the Blood Thorn Strangling Formation stacked on top of each other, as long as not too many people rush in at once, I can hold on."

"Then let's give it a try." Li Changsheng stood up and gestured to Moyu and Chiyu.

A crack appeared in the array outside the cave, and dozens of ghost soldiers swarmed in, drawn by the aura of the living soul, and plunged into the three-layered array.

The Azure Vine Strangling Array was activated first, with countless azure vines emerging from the ground to entangle the ghost soldiers. The Inverted Five Elements Array followed closely behind, the power of the five elements rotating, fire overcoming ghosts, lightning overcoming yin, and bolts of lightning and flames exploding within the array. The Blood Thorn Strangling Array was the final finishing touch, its blood-red thorns shredding the remaining ghost soldiers into fragments.

Mo Yu hovered above the array, her lips slightly parted, absorbing strands of dissipated soul power into her body. Her aura rose at a visible speed—

First-tier peak (70/100).

boom--

Mo Yu shuddered, her body surging with yin energy, and the Ghost Pipa flew out on its own, hovering in front of her.

She plucked the strings with her delicate hands, and an invisible ripple spread from the pipa, shattering the remaining ghost soldiers in the formation into black smoke. Soul beads tinkled and fell to the ground.

The Heavenly Book Trembled:

[Ink Jade Awakens Bloodline Spell: Soul-Capturing Sound]

The sound of the ghostly pipa struck directly at the soul; cultivators below the late stage of Qi Refining would instantly collapse, and even those at the peak of Qi Refining would need to exert all their strength to withstand it.

[Family Luck Value +100, Current: 6700/10000]

[Imperial Merit Points +100, Current: 6800/10000]

Li Changsheng's eyes lit up. His merit points with the imperial court had increased significantly.

They are not far from reaching the 10,000 imperial merit points required to advance to the ninth rank of a noble family.

at this time.

The sky outside was gradually brightening.

Li Changsheng communicates with the heavenly book through telepathy:

"Today's divination result is 'open'."

A yellow light flowed, and the deduced text slowly emerged:

【The Cave of Ten Thousand Ghosts: Forbidden Treasure】

The forbidden area at the heart of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Cave has been opened by two mysterious figures. One of them has been suppressing his cultivation and infiltrating the Zhuo family for many years, while the other's identity remains unknown. Deep within the forbidden area lies a treasure trove: a fragment of the "Netherworld Sect Ruins." Three thousand years ago, this sect was one of the ten great sects north of the Great Zhou Immortal Dynasty, but it was uprooted after angering the imperial court, and its ruins were sealed into the void. The Yun family, who have occupied the Ten Thousand Ghosts Cave for centuries, are completely unaware of this.

The fragments of the ruins contain three treasures: Soul-Transforming Grass, Azure Sand, and Soul-Nourishing Wood, as well as a "Void Stone" that can evolve the Heavenly Book.

The forbidden area has been opened; if you arrive too late, all the treasures will fall into the hands of others.

Li Changsheng suddenly stood up.

"Father, I need to go out for a bit." He walked up to Li Shouyi, his voice steady. "You all stay here and don't leave even for a moment."

Li Shouyi frowned: "You're going out alone? That's too dangerous."

"Don't worry," Li Changsheng reassured him, "If there's any danger, I'll get out of there immediately. Don't you know me? I'm the one who values ​​my life the most."

Li Shouyi looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and finally nodded: "Be careful."

Li Changsheng turned around and leaped onto Chi Yu's back. Chi Yu flapped its wings and soared into the sky, disappearing into the hazy horizon in an instant.

Li Changle stood at the cave entrance, watching her brother's departing figure, her little face full of worry. Du Qiqi walked over, gently took her hand, and whispered, "Clan Chief Li is so powerful, she'll be alright."

Li Changle nodded.